Learning and Development Essay -- Education, Family Participation

â€Å"All people want to be treated with respect, want to be valued and accepted, loved, and cherished, and made to feel they are making important contributions to society and that their wishes and desires are heard and respected (Berg and Steiner, 2003 as cited in Patel, Corter ad Pelletier, 2008, pp 23)†. Parents often feel this way and want to have a say in how and what their child is being taught. Partnerships between educators and families help parents be able to voice their own wishes and desires while allowing teachers and children to be valued, respected and accepted. This literature review will discuss what has been written in regard to family educator partnerships. Reference will be made to a range of literature on the topic of partnerships in a school and centre setting. Rationale for building effective reciprocal relationships with parents and whÄ nau The literature states that partnerships between parents and families helps children feel safe within the learning environment. Porter (2008) discusses how through interactions between parents and educators, educators gain access to knowledge and support and gain a sounding board for any concerns about the child. Children also gain ‘permission’ to develop confidence and trust with the teachers (Porter 2008). With trust and confidence with and in their teacher’s children feel a sense of safety which allows them to be able to engage in learning to their fullest ability. Arthur, Beecher, Dealth, Dockett and Farmer (2007) and Patel, Corter and Pelletier (2008) agree with Porter and add that parents and whÄ nau often have different values and expectations and that partnerships enable all involved to promote the sharing of information to enhance the children’s learning (Patel, C... ... the child’s learning. Educator should endeavour to ensure that the families’ culture is included in the centre or school. Studies have shown us that by included families into centres or schools children’s social and emotional development benefits greatly. Families often experience multiple stress in their life’s these stress can often affect their child’s learning and educators need to be sensitive to family situations. Educators should always maintain professionalism when dealing with parents. Educators should know their boundaries and should never yell or get into arguments with families members. Educators, schools and centres should be regularity reflecting on their own practices and policies. Challenging attitudes and beliefs allows educators to become more open to others attitudes and beliefs and allows educators to form effective partnerships with parents.